Best Credit Card Processing Companies of July 2025

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Best Credit Card Processing Companies

Product	Best for	NerdWallet rating	Payment processing fees	Monthly fee	Learn more
Square Learn more on Square's secure website	All-in-one payment services	5.0 /5	In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30	$0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.	Learn more on Square's secure website
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website	Volume discounts	5.0 /5	In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange	$0	Learn more on Helcim's secure website
Chase Payment Solutions℠ Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website	Built-in banking partner and direct processor	4.6 /5	In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.25	$0 for in-person payments; $9.95 and up for e-commerce payments.	Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website
Stripe Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website	Global, online transactions	5.0 /5	In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30	$0	Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website
U.S. Bank Merchant Services Learn more on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC	Built-in banking partner with everyday deposits	4.1 /5	In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30	$0 and up.	Learn more on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC
National Processing Learn more on National Processing's secure website	Low, flat-rate processing	4.8 /5	In-person: 2.5% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30	$15 for Basic In-Person Package.	Learn more on National Processing's secure website
Payment Depot Learn more on Payment Depot's secure website	Tailored interchange-plus rates	4.0 /5	0.2% + $0.00 to 1.95%, plus interchange.	$0	Learn more on Payment Depot's secure website
Shopify Payments Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website	Online retail businesses	4.2 /5	In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30	$39 Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.	Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website
Finix Learn more on Finix's secure website	Subscription-based pricing	4.8 /5	In-person: 0% + $0.08 Online: 0% + $0.15 Plus interchange	$79 and up.	Learn more on Finix's secure website
PayPal Learn more on PayPal's secure website	Payment flexibility	4.8 /5	In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 2.89% + $0.49	$0 Standard; $5 Payments Advanced; $30 Payments Pro.	Learn more on PayPal's secure website
Payanywhere Read review	Payment processor with reputation management tools	4.0 /5	In-person: 2.69% + $0.00 Online: 3.49% + $0.19	$0 and up.	Read review
QuickBooks Payments Read review on NerdWallet's secure website	Online invoicing	3.8 /5	In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00	$0 QuickBooks subscription required.	Read review on NerdWallet's secure website

Product	Best for	NerdWallet rating	Payment processing fees	Monthly fee	Learn more
Square Learn more on Square's secure website	All-in-one payment services	5.0 /5	In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30	$0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.	Learn more on Square's secure website
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website	Volume discounts	5.0 /5	In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange	$0	Learn more on Helcim's secure website
Chase Payment Solutions℠ Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website	Built-in banking partner and direct processor	4.6 /5	In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.25	$0 for in-person payments; $9.95 and up for e-commerce payments.	Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website
Stripe Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website	Global, online transactions	5.0 /5	In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30	$0	Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website
U.S. Bank Merchant Services Learn more on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC	Built-in banking partner with everyday deposits	4.1 /5	In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30	$0 and up.	Learn more on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC
National Processing Learn more on National Processing's secure website	Low, flat-rate processing	4.8 /5	In-person: 2.5% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30	$15 for Basic In-Person Package.	Learn more on National Processing's secure website
Payment Depot Learn more on Payment Depot's secure website	Tailored interchange-plus rates	4.0 /5	0.2% + $0.00 to 1.95%, plus interchange.	$0	Learn more on Payment Depot's secure website
Shopify Payments Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website	Online retail businesses	4.2 /5	In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30	$39 Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.	Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website
Finix Learn more on Finix's secure website	Subscription-based pricing	4.8 /5	In-person: 0% + $0.08 Online: 0% + $0.15 Plus interchange	$79 and up.	Learn more on Finix's secure website
PayPal Learn more on PayPal's secure website	Payment flexibility	4.8 /5	In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 2.89% + $0.49	$0 Standard; $5 Payments Advanced; $30 Payments Pro.	Learn more on PayPal's secure website
Payanywhere Read review	Payment processor with reputation management tools	4.0 /5	In-person: 2.69% + $0.00 Online: 3.49% + $0.19	$0 and up.	Read review
QuickBooks Payments Read review on NerdWallet's secure website	Online invoicing	3.8 /5	In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00	$0 QuickBooks subscription required.	Read review on NerdWallet's secure website

Best Credit Card Processing Companies

Best all-in-one payments service

Square

5.0

Best for All-in-one payment services

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

Learn more

on Square's website

Pros

Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
No termination fees or long-term contracts.
No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.

Cons

Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.

Best all-in-one payments service

Square

Best for All-in-one payment services

5.0

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

Learn more

on Square's website

Pros

Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
No termination fees or long-term contracts.
No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.

Cons

Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.

Helcim

5.0

Best for Volume discounts

Payment processing fees

In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25

Plus interchange

Monthly fee

Learn more

on Helcim's website

Pros

Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
Offers free POS software.
Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.

Cons

Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.

Helcim

Best for Volume discounts

5.0

Payment processing fees

In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25

Plus interchange

Monthly fee

Learn more

on Helcim's website

Pros

Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
Offers free POS software.
Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.

Cons

Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.

Chase Payment Solutions℠

4.6

Best for Built-in banking partner and direct processor

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.25

Monthly fee

for in-person payments; $9.95 and up for e-commerce payments.

Learn more

on Chase's website

Pros

Two-in-one processor and acquiring bank.
No PCI compliance or cancellation fees.
Using your bank as your processor makes deposits convenient.
24/7 phone and online support.

Cons

Some hardware pricing is not readily available.
Chase’s Business Complete checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee for some merchants.

Chase Payment Solutions℠

Best for Built-in banking partner and direct processor

4.6

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.25

Monthly fee

for in-person payments; $9.95 and up for e-commerce payments.

Learn more

on Chase's website

Pros

Two-in-one processor and acquiring bank.
No PCI compliance or cancellation fees.
Using your bank as your processor makes deposits convenient.
24/7 phone and online support.

Cons

Some hardware pricing is not readily available.
Chase’s Business Complete checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee for some merchants.

Stripe

5.0

Best for Global, online transactions

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee

Learn more

on Stripe's website

Pros

Highly customizable online checkout options.
No termination fees or long-term contracts.
24/7 chat support.
Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
No PCI compliance fees.

Cons

Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
Deposits can take up to two business days.
No phone or email support.

Stripe

Best for Global, online transactions

5.0

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee

Learn more

on Stripe's website

Pros

Highly customizable online checkout options.
No termination fees or long-term contracts.
24/7 chat support.
Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
No PCI compliance fees.

Cons

Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
Deposits can take up to two business days.
No phone or email support.

U.S. Bank Merchant Services

4.1

Best for Built-in banking partner with everyday deposits

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee

and up.

Learn more

on U.S. Bank's website, Member FDIC

Pros

Same-day funding seven days per week for U.S. Bank checking account holders.
No cancellation or PCI compliance fees.
Free POS software plan available.
24/7 support.

Cons

POS system onboarding assistance can be costly.
Deposit times are not as quick for merchants using third-party bank accounts.
Virtual terminal costs extra.

U.S. Bank Merchant Services

Best for Built-in banking partner with everyday deposits

4.1

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee

and up.

Learn more

on U.S. Bank's website, Member FDIC

Pros

Same-day funding seven days per week for U.S. Bank checking account holders.
No cancellation or PCI compliance fees.
Free POS software plan available.
24/7 support.

Cons

POS system onboarding assistance can be costly.
Deposit times are not as quick for merchants using third-party bank accounts.
Virtual terminal costs extra.

National Processing

4.8

Best for Low, flat-rate processing

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.5% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee

$15

for Basic In-Person Package.

Learn more

on National Processing's website

Pros

No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.
Works with high-risk merchants.
New merchants may qualify for a free terminal.
24/7 phone support.
Compatible with multiple POS system providers, including Clover.

Cons

Fees may be higher if you process less than $10,000 per month.
Basic plans for processing in-person and online transactions are separate.
Deposits take 2-3 business days for basic plans.

National Processing

Best for Low, flat-rate processing

4.8

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.5% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee

$15

for Basic In-Person Package.

Learn more

on National Processing's website

Pros

No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.
Works with high-risk merchants.
New merchants may qualify for a free terminal.
24/7 phone support.
Compatible with multiple POS system providers, including Clover.

Cons

Fees may be higher if you process less than $10,000 per month.
Basic plans for processing in-person and online transactions are separate.
Deposits take 2-3 business days for basic plans.

Payment Depot

4.0

Best for Tailored interchange-plus rates

Payment processing fees

0.2% + $0.00

to 1.95%, plus interchange.

Monthly fee

Learn more

on Payment Depot's website

Pros

Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
No cancellation or PCI compliance fees.
Compatible with several POS hardware providers, including Clover.
24/7 phone support.

Cons

Markups vary by business.
Website doesn’t disclose hardware pricing.
Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.

Payment Depot

Best for Tailored interchange-plus rates

4.0

Payment processing fees

0.2% + $0.00

to 1.95%, plus interchange.

Monthly fee

Learn more

on Payment Depot's website

Pros

Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
No cancellation or PCI compliance fees.
Compatible with several POS hardware providers, including Clover.
24/7 phone support.

Cons

Markups vary by business.
Website doesn’t disclose hardware pricing.
Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.

Shopify Payments

4.2

Best for Online retail businesses

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee

$39

Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.

Learn more

on Shopify's website

Pros

Hundreds of e-commerce website templates available.
Can customize checkout page.
Higher-tier plans offer less expensive online processing rates (as low as 2.5% plus 30 cents).
No long-term contracts.

Cons

E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.

Shopify Payments

Best for Online retail businesses

4.2

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee

$39

Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.

Learn more

on Shopify's website

Pros

Hundreds of e-commerce website templates available.
Can customize checkout page.
Higher-tier plans offer less expensive online processing rates (as low as 2.5% plus 30 cents).
No long-term contracts.

Cons

E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.

Finix

4.8

Best for Subscription-based pricing

Payment processing fees

In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15

Plus interchange

Monthly fee

$79

and up.

Learn more

on Finix's website

Pros

No long-term contracts.
Subscription model can help high-volume businesses save money.
Transparent fee breakdowns.
24/7 emergency phone and email support.
No PCI compliance fees.

Cons

Limited POS hardware options.
Lacks direct accounting software integrations.

Finix

Best for Subscription-based pricing

4.8

Payment processing fees

In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15

Plus interchange

Monthly fee

$79

and up.

Learn more

on Finix's website

Pros

No long-term contracts.
Subscription model can help high-volume businesses save money.
Transparent fee breakdowns.
24/7 emergency phone and email support.
No PCI compliance fees.

Cons

Limited POS hardware options.
Lacks direct accounting software integrations.

PayPal

4.8

Best for Payment flexibility

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 2.89% + $0.49

Monthly fee

Standard; $5 Payments Advanced; $30 Payments Pro.

Learn more

on PayPal's website

Pros

One of the most commonly used payment processing platforms.
Easy to use and integrate with website hosts and shopping carts.
Transparent fixed fees in 25 currencies.
No PCI compliance fees.

Cons

PayPal’s offerings are vast and can be difficult to grasp quickly.
No offline mode.
Accepting online transactions involves additional monthly fees, depending on your gateway.

PayPal

Best for Payment flexibility

4.8

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 2.89% + $0.49

Monthly fee

Standard; $5 Payments Advanced; $30 Payments Pro.

Learn more

on PayPal's website

Pros

One of the most commonly used payment processing platforms.
Easy to use and integrate with website hosts and shopping carts.
Transparent fixed fees in 25 currencies.
No PCI compliance fees.

Cons

PayPal’s offerings are vast and can be difficult to grasp quickly.
No offline mode.
Accepting online transactions involves additional monthly fees, depending on your gateway.

Payanywhere

4.0

Best for Payment processor with reputation management tools

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.69% + $0.00
Online: 3.49% + $0.19

Monthly fee

and up.

Read Review

Pros

In-house payment processing.
Simple pricing model.
Free next-day funding. Option for free same-day funding in some cases.
Offers a virtual terminal.

Cons

Limited integrations.
Potential early termination fees.
Doesn't work with some business types.

Payanywhere

Best for Payment processor with reputation management tools

4.0

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.69% + $0.00
Online: 3.49% + $0.19

Monthly fee

and up.

Read Review

Pros

In-house payment processing.
Simple pricing model.
Free next-day funding. Option for free same-day funding in some cases.
Offers a virtual terminal.

Cons

Limited integrations.
Potential early termination fees.
Doesn't work with some business types.

QuickBooks Payments

3.8

Best for Online invoicing

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00

Monthly fee

QuickBooks subscription required.

Read Review

Pros

Convenient mobile app.
Seamless QuickBooks accounting integration.

Cons

Limited customer support hours.
Limited hardware options on QuickBooks POS.

QuickBooks Payments

Best for Online invoicing

3.8

Payment processing fees

In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00

Monthly fee

QuickBooks subscription required.

Read Review

Pros

Convenient mobile app.
Seamless QuickBooks accounting integration.

Cons

Limited customer support hours.
Limited hardware options on QuickBooks POS.

Our picks for best credit card processing companies

Square

Best for all-in-one payment services

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it: Square stands apart from the competition with its flat-rate pricing and end-to-end payment processing solution. This means it handles most aspects of a credit card transaction, so you don’t need to purchase a

payment gateway

(a payment processing portal) or

point-of-sale system

from separate providers. Square provides a free credit card reader that works with its free app and a smartphone or tablet. Read our full

Square review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

2.6% plus 15 cents for in-person transactions with all free plans.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions with paid restaurant plans.
2.5% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions with paid retail and appointments plans.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.

Monthly POS software fees:

$0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
$29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
$69 for Square Appointments Premium and Square Restaurants Plus plans.
$89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
$165 for Square Restaurant Premium plan.
Custom pricing for Square Retail plan.

Hardware costs:

$0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
$59 for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
$149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included; monthly financing available).
$149 for Square Kiosk for self-serve ordering.
$299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer (monthly financing available).
$399 for Square Handheld portable POS system with built-in barcode scanner (monthly financing available).
$799 for Square Register two-screen system (monthly financing available).

Helcim

Best for volume discounts

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it: Helcim's pricing model is transparent, with no hidden fees. It uses interchange-plus pricing with volume-based discounts, making it a particularly cost-effective option for businesses with high monthly sales. The company has customer support available by phone, as well as comprehensive support resources on its website. Read our full

Helcim review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

Interchange plus 0.4% and 8 cents per in-person transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per online or manually keyed transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments (capped at $6).

Monthly POS software fees:

Hardware costs:

$99 for a mobile card reader (with stand).
$329 for a stand-alone terminal with built-in thermal printer (or 12 monthly payments of $30).

Stripe

Best for global, online transactions

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it: Stripe enables your business to accept a wide range of online payment methods, including mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Alipay. It also lets you offer financing options to customers through "buy now, pay later" companies like Klarna and Afterpay. Read our full

Stripe review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

2.7% plus 5 cents for in-person transactions.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.4% plus 30 cents for manually keyed transactions.
4.4% plus 30 cents for international card transactions.

Monthly POS software fees:

$0 for standard services.
$10 for custom domain.

Hardware costs:

$59 for Stripe Reader M2.
$249 for BBPOS WisePOS E card reader.
$349 for Stripe Reader S700.

PayPal

Best for payment flexibility

4.8

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it : Business owners who value brand familiarity and feel more comfortable going with a company that has a longstanding reputation should look into PayPal. Its in-person processing rates are low compared to the competition, and you can use PayPal to accept mobile wallet and QR code payments. Read our full

PayPal review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

2.29% plus 9 cents for in-person credit and debit card payments.
2.59%-2.99% plus 49 cents for online credit and debit card payments.
3.49% plus 49 cents for PayPal Payments transactions (PayPal, Pay Later, Pay with Rewards, Venmo).

Monthly POS software fees:

$0 for standard service.
$5 for PayPal Payments Advanced.
$10 for Advanced Fraud Protection service, buyer authentication service or recurring billing service.
$19.95 for account monitoring service.
$30 for Payments Pro, Payments Pro Payflow, Virtual Terminal or recurring payment tool.

Hardware costs:

$29 for first card reader; additional readers cost $79. Price includes USB cable.
$199 for terminal only.
$239 for terminal with barcode scanner built in.
$229 for Store Kit Mini (tablet stand with card reader and dock).
$339 for Store Kit Portable kit with mobile card reader and printer.
$479 for Store Kit Standard (tablet stand, card reader, dock and printer).
$699 for Store Kit Plus (adds barcode scanner).

National Processing

Best for low, flat-rate processing

4.8

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it: With low processing fees, no long-term contracts and lots of integration options, National Processing can be a good option for businesses looking for a flat-rate processor. Just make sure to speak with a representative before signing up to find out whether you qualify for perks like a free terminal or other promotions. Read our full

National Processing review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

Basic In-Person Package: 2.5% plus 10 cents per transaction.
Basic Online Package: 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction.
Premium Package: 2.41% plus 10 cents.

Monthly POS software fees:

$14.95 for Basic In-Person Package, Basic Online Package.
$19 and up for Premium Package.

Hardware costs:

Offers a variety of third-party POS systems, handheld terminals and a mobile card reader. Here are some of the choices:

Pax E700 POS solution for $835 and up.
Clover Solo POS system for $1,605 and up.
Clover Flex handheld system for $585 and up.
SwipeSimple B250 mobile card reader for $99 and up.

Finix

Best for subscription-based pricing

4.8

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it : Finix's subscription-based pricing model can help quickly growing small businesses with high-volume transactions save money in processing costs. These types of businesses may also benefit from a more personalized approach to payment processing. Finix offers this by working with you in a one-on-one capacity and matching you with a dedicated implementation manager. Plus, there are no long-term contracts. Read our full

Finix review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

8 cents plus interchange for card-present transactions.
15 cents plus interchange for card-not-present transactions.

Monthly POS software fees:

$79 and up.
One-month free trial for NerdWallet readers.

Hardware costs:

Finix offers a variety of handheld terminals, card readers and keypads, but merchants need to reach out to the company for pricing details. New merchants also receive a free terminal after implementation.

Chase Payment Solutions

Best built-in banking partner and direct processor

4.6

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it : If you already have a business bank account through Chase, processing payments through the company can be a convenient option. Plus, you get access to same-day deposits when you use Chase’s Smart Terminal. Read our full

Chase Payment Solutions review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
2.9% plus 25 cents for online transactions.
3.5% plus 10 cents for keyed transactions and invoicing.

Monthly POS software fees:

$0 per month for in-person payments.
$9.95 per month and up for e-commerce payments.

Hardware costs:

$129 for Chase Card Reader and Base bundle.
$399 for Chase Countertop Terminal.
$499 for Chase Wireless Terminal.
$499 for Chase POS Terminal.

Shopify Payments

Best for online retail businesses

4.2

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it : Shopify Payments has competitive rates for payment processing and integrates directly with Shopify. Because you must have a paid Shopify plan to use its payment processing and POS solutions, Shopify Payments is a great fit for a business that already has a Shopify plan for e-commerce. Read our full

Shopify Payments review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

2.5%, 2.7% or 2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
2.4%, 2.5% or 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.

Monthly POS software fees:

Shopify e-commerce plans:

$29 for Shopify Basic when billed annually (or $39 when paid monthly).
$79 for regular Shopify when billed annually (or $105 when paid monthly).
$299 for Shopify Advanced when billed annually (or $399 when paid monthly).
Custom pricing for Shopify Plus.
All e-commerce plans come with POS Lite for selling in-person. Upgrading to POS Pro for brick-and-mortar businesses costs an extra $89 per location.

Shopify’s alternative solutions for mainly selling in-person:

$5 for Starter plan, which includes one POS Lite location.
$79 (when billed annually) for Retail plan, or $89 when paid monthly; includes one POS Pro location.

Hardware costs:

$49 for Tap & Chip card reader.
$219 for Tap & Chip countertop kit (iPad not included).
$349 for Shopify POS terminal.
$459 and up for POS terminal countertop kits.

U.S. Bank Merchant Services

Best built-in banking partner with everyday deposits

4.1

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it: U.S. Bank Merchant Services is an especially convenient payment processing solution for small businesses that already have a checking account with the bank, because they’ll get access to Everyday Funding at no extra cost. Additionally, the bank offers a free Ingenico credit card reader for taking payments on the go. Read our full

U.S. Bank Merchant Services review

Limited time offer

Earn up to $1,000 in statement credits over 3 months when you open and are approved for a new U.S. Bank Payment Solutions Merchant Account by September 30, 2025. The account must be actively accepting and settling card payments at the time the monthly statement credits are being calculated and applied in order to receive the rebate. Merchant account must be in good standing with no outstanding recovery balance. Get merchant fees refunded up to $1,000 over three months. Member FDIC.

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person payments.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments.
3.5% plus 15 cents for keyed payments.

Monthly POS software fees:

$0 for Mobile and Terminal plans.
$29 and up for Starter plan.
$69 for Standard plan.
$99 and up for Premium plan.
$15-$29 for each additional software license.

Hardware costs:

Sells a variety of hardware, including full POS stations, handheld terminals and customer displays.

You can purchase or rent hardware. Monthly rental pricing starts at $15 for a handheld terminal.

Payment Depot

Best for tailored interchange-plus rates

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it: Whereas some interchange-plus competitors implement a consistent markup across the board, Payment Depot’s rates might be more negotiable, since they’re tailored to each individual business. Additionally, there are no setup or cancellation fees. Read our full

Payment Depot review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

0.2%-1.95% plus interchange.

Monthly POS software fees:

$0.

Hardware costs:

Quote-based.

Payanywhere

Best for payment processor with reputation management tools

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it: If your business is trying to gauge customer satisfaction and keep track of feedback, Payanywhere is a good place to start. The processor’s POS software plans include access to reputation management tools that help point out trends in online reviews of your business. You can also use the feature to create custom quick replies to customers’ feedback. Read our full

Payanywhere review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

2.69% for in-person transactions.
3.49% plus 19 cents for online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions.

Monthly POS software fees:

$0 if using only the 3-in-1 reader.
$14.95 per device if using the Smart Terminal, Smart Terminal Mini or Smart Keypad.
$24.95 per device if using the Smart PINPad Pro or Smart Flex.
$44.95 per device if using the Smart POS+.

Hardware costs:

$59.95 for the 3-in-1 reader.
$249.95 for the Smart Keypad.
$299.95 for the Smart Terminal Mini.
$349.95 for the Smart Terminal.
$449.95 plus one-time setup fee of $49.95 for the Smart PINPad Pro.
$549.95 plus one-time setup fee of $49.95 for the Smart Flex.
$949.95 plus one-time setup fee of $99.95 for the Smart POS+.

» MORE:

Best payment processors for high-risk merchants

QuickBooks Payments

Best for online invoicing

3.8

NerdWallet rating

Why our editorial team chose it: QuickBooks Payments makes it easy to accept invoice payments online via credit card or ACH transfer. That way, you don’t have to wait for a paper check to arrive in the mail. If you need the funds right away, you can pay an extra 1.75% of the transaction to access instant deposits. Read our

QuickBooks Payments review

Pricing details

Payment processing fees:

For QuickBooks Online users

2.5% for in-person payments.
2.99% for online and invoiced payments.
3.5% for manually keyed payments.
1% for ACH transactions.

For QuickBooks Desktop users

Pay as you go plan (no monthly fee):

2.4% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
3.5% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
1% per ACH transfer.

Pay monthly plan ($20 monthly fee):

1.6% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
3.3% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
1% per ACH transfer.

Monthly POS software fees:

$0 if you already have a QuickBooks Online plan.
$35 for Simple Start plan for new QuickBooks users.
$65 for Essentials plan for new QuickBooks users.
$99 ($45 for first three months) for Plus plan for new QuickBooks users.
$235 ($100 for first three months) for Advanced plan for new QuickBooks users.
QuickBooks Desktop users pay an annual subscription fee for the accounting software.

Hardware costs:

$39 for QuickBooks charging stand.
$49 for QuickBooks card reader.
$79 for QuickBooks card reader with charging stand.

Need a high-risk payment processor?

Not all of the processors listed above work with high-risk businesses that are more susceptible to chargebacks or operate in age-restricted industries. If that describes your business, here are a handful of processors worth looking into:

» MORE:

Best high-risk merchant account providers

What is credit card processing?

Credit card processing

involves authorizing and transferring funds between a customer’s issuing bank and a business’s merchant bank to complete a sale. It only takes a few seconds to authorize a customer’s credit card information, but the process doesn’t stop at the checkout line. After the card reader lets you know the customer’s credit card information has been approved, money moves from bank to bank via the settlement process, which usually takes at least one business day to complete.

Brick-and-mortars need software and hardware to

accept credit card payments

in-person — lots of credit card processing companies offer both. Square, for example, sells card readers and

POS systems

, plus monthly software plans that start at $0. As opposed to a physical card reader, online businesses need a

payment gateway

that lets customers securely enter their credit card information online and get it authorized. These generally come bundled together with payment processing services, too.

How to choose a credit card processing company

Starting out, look for credit card processing companies that can accommodate payments within each of your sales channels, whether those are online, in-person or both. If you prefer an all-in-one payment processor and POS system provider, rule out companies that don’t sell their own hardware (POS terminals, card readers, etc.).

Here are some additional factors to consider to choose the right credit card processing company for you.

Cost

On top of weighing payment processing fees and monthly subscription costs, look for credit card processing companies that don’t charge extra fees for setup, termination or

PCI compliance

Deposit timing

Ideally, a credit card processing company will offer same-day or next-day deposits. That way, you don’t have to wait long for customers’ payments to show up in your bank account.

Contracts

Switching credit card processing companies can be a pain, but you still want to leave the option open. Try to narrow your choices down to companies that don’t require you to sign a long-term contract.

Customer service

Consider live chat and phone support options, as well as which days and times they’re available. If your business is open outside of normal business hours, it might be convenient to go with a product that offers around-the-clock support.

Integrations

If your credit card processing company offers its own POS software, make sure it integrates seamlessly with your accounting system and any additional programs you use for other tasks, like inventory management. Also determine whether you need to integrate with e-commerce software and online shopping carts.

💬 From our Nerds: Local credit card processing companies can be an option, too

"The options above serve businesses nationwide, but local processors with offices located near you should be on the table as well. Ask local small businesses in your industry which company they’re working with and whether they’d recommend them.

"In my case, I simply asked my neighbor.

"They work for a credit card processing company in town and said this lets them be on site quickly if there’s an issue. Companies without local offices often include 24/7 phone support, but they likely won’t be able to send someone out in person immediately. That being said, local processors might be compatible with just one POS system provider and, in general, have less resources than nationwide companies that serve thousands of businesses."

—

Hillary Crawford

, lead writer covering small business

How much does credit card processing cost?

In general,

credit card processing fees

are made up of several different types of costs:

Interchange fees are paid to the issuing banks.
Assessment fees are paid to the card networks.
Payment processor fees are the “cuts” or “markups” that go toward the payment processing company for facilitating the transaction.
Monthly subscription fees can cost upward of $99, but lots of companies don’t charge them. However, credit card processing companies that charge monthly fees may offer lower processing rates in exchange.

If you aren't sure where to start and budget is top of mind, NerdWallet's list of the

cheapest credit card processing companies

is a good launching point.

Credit card processing pricing models

Flat rateMost of our top picks fall into this category. Flat-rate credit card processing companies bundle interchange, assessment and payment processor fees into one consistent rate that typically looks something like 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions. This model is easy to understand, and the sign-up process is typically quick.

Interchange plusAs opposed to packaging the different types of fees together, interchange-plus options disclose each transaction’s interchange fee and charge a consistent rate on top of it. This model is more transparent than flat-rate ones and can help high-volume businesses save money.

Cash with a green percentage sign on the top-right corner.

Subscription basedThis model often uses interchange-plus pricing, but charges an additional monthly fee on top of it in exchange for lower interchange markups. This is also a great option for high-volume businesses whose monthly payment processing fees would exceed the monthly subscription cost without reduced markups.

Methodology: How we rate payment processors

NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzes payment processors across seven categories and more than 30 subcategories by gathering data from company websites, speaking with company representatives and participating in product demos. We fact-check our data points regularly to ensure accuracy.

The category breakdown:

Overall cost (29.5%)

To evaluate overall cost, we consider payment processing fees (for both in-person and online transactions), POS system costs and additional fees for PCI compliance, setup, chargebacks and account termination.

Hardware and software options (20.5%)

For convenience’s sake, we recommend payment processors that also offer POS software and hardware options in-house.

System capabilities (18%)

Payment processors should be able to process a wide variety of payment types and methods including digital wallets, credit and debit cards, invoice and e-commerce transactions. We also consider deposit timing and whether you can opt for same-day deposits.

Pricing transparency (11.5%)

This applies to processing fees, monthly subscription fees, hardware costs and additional fees for PCI compliance, setup and account termination.

Integrations (9%)

NerdWallet’s evaluation process favors products that directly integrate with your accounting software and offer additional integrations for shopping carts, POS systems, etc.

Customer service (7%)

Payment processors need to offer phone, chat or email support at a minimum. We give extra points to providers with 24/7 support.

Contract and trial period (4.5%)

Ideally, payment processors have free trials and month-to-month subscriptions. This isn’t a strict requirement, but providers do get dinged if they don’t offer these.

What our star ratings mean

Payment processors with 5 stars are outstanding. They offer competitive in-person and online processing rates, built-in POS system features and free software plans. Plus, they can accommodate a variety of business types.

Payment processors with 4.0 to 4.9 stars are great to excellent. Typically, they have competitive pricing and robust POS features. However, they may have longer-term contracts or fall short when it comes to integrations and/or pricing transparency.

Payment processors with 3.0 to 3.9 stars may be good for specific types of businesses, but typically aren’t a universally great fit. Whereas 4-star processors are lacking in just a few areas, these processors fall short in more categories.

Payment processors with 2.9 stars or fewer don’t offer competitive rates or include the same core POS features that competitors do. We usually don’t recommend these products for small businesses.

Last updated on February 21, 2025

Methodology

NerdWallet’s ratings of payment processing providers rewards companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including overall cost, hardware and software options, system capabilities, customer service, contract requirements and integrations. Learn more about how we rate

payment processing providers

These ratings are a guide, but fees, hardware, software and contract requirements can vary widely from business to business and provider to provider. We encourage you to shop around and compare several providers.

NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our

editorial guidelines

Meet the editorial team

Hillary Crawford

Business software

Hillary Crawford is a small-business writer at NerdWallet, with a special focus on business software products. Her previous roles include news writer and associate West Coast editor at Bustle Digital Group, where she helped shape news and tech coverage. Her work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Yahoo Finance and Entrepreneur, in addition to other publications. She is based in Traverse City, Michigan.

12 Best Credit Card Processing Companies of July 2025

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Our picks for best credit card processing companies

Square

Helcim

Stripe

PayPal

National Processing

Finix

Chase Payment Solutions

Shopify Payments

U.S. Bank Merchant Services

Limited time offer

Payment Depot

Payanywhere

QuickBooks Payments

Need a high-risk payment processor?

What is credit card processing?

How to choose a credit card processing company

💬 From our Nerds: Local credit card processing companies can be an option, too

How much does credit card processing cost?

Methodology: How we rate payment processors

The category breakdown:

What our star ratings mean

Methodology